Free Dental Clinic Coming To Danbury

DANBURY, CT — The Connecticut Foundation for Dental Outreach (CFDO) announced today that the 14th Annual Connecticut Mission of Mercy Free Dental Clinic will be held at the O'Neill Center on the Westside Campus of Western Connecticut State University in Danbury on Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21, 2020. Doors will open at 8:00 a.m. The clinic, also known as CTMOM, will provide a full range of dental services to as many as 2,000 people during the two days and will feature 100 dental chairs and more than 700 volunteers.

"The CT Mission of Mercy Free Dental Clinic is a critically important volunteer healthcare initiative that's become a tradition in our state," said Governor Ned Lamont. "I applaud the hundreds of dental and medical professionals, and community volunteers for their commitment and dedication to Connecticut's underserved, uninsured and working poor who are improving the lives of so many Connecticut residents through this clinic."

John Clark, president of Western Connecticut State University, said the entire university community welcomes the clinic. "We are happy to act as host, and to give our students, faculty and staff the opportunity to participate and also to witness the dedication of other volunteers in this effort," Clark said. "Our mission, in addition to the academics we teach, is to help young people learn how to participate as citizens in a community. The dental clinic offers a wonderful learning experience."

The clinic is held annually in Connecticut and made possible by the efforts of the CFDO. It is free for those who are in need of dental care and can't afford the cost of services. CTMOM provides a full range of dental services to patients of all ages on a first-come, first-served basis. Services include: dental and general health screenings, x-rays, cleanings, fillings, extractions, oral surgery, limited partial dentures and root canals on front teeth. CTMOM is returning to Danbury for the third time thanks in part to Western Connecticut State University’s generosity. They have graciously opened their doors to CTMOM in 2012, 2015 and now in 2020.

According to the CFDO, many Connecticut citizens are struggling to afford basic dental care on top of everyday necessities; rent, food, clothing, transportation. In 2020, those numbers may increase.

"It is our role to help as many people as possible and get them the dental care they need, and at least alleviate their dental pain," said Dr. Jonathan Knapp, a Bethel dentist and CFDO Board Member. "First and foremost, CTMOM is a charitable event and not a long-term solution to this problem. We are happy to come to Danbury again while continuing to work with Connecticut’s leaders; political, business, health and not-for-profit communities to make dental care a priority in public health services."